Is there a solution to screen addiction?
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan made remarkable evaluations regarding the “Screen Addiction” on the Mavi Kadın YouTube channel. Tarhan gave valuable advice to parents and said that “Instead of banning the screen, it is necessary to teach how to use it correctly.” Emphasizing that there is a direct relationship between screen addiction and delayed speech, Tarhan added that one of the most important reasons for the increase in neurodevelopmental disorders is screen addiction.
“Screen exposure lies behind screen addiction”
Stating that the symptoms of screen addiction are similar to the symptoms of substance addiction, President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof.Nevzat Tarhan drew attention to the fact that the reward system in the brain is disrupted as exposure increases. Tarhan stated that “Screen addiction draws attention as a global problem. Since we are a society that is generally prone to technology and mobile activities, we have been exposed to it more. Screen exposure lies behind screen addiction. The reward system in the brain is disrupted as exposure increases. Reward deficiency syndrome occurs. The reward-related roads in the brain are like a path; however, they become like a highway. When that happens, the brain cannot get enough of the reward. It always wants more. Just like the reward deficiency in substance use, it wants more. This time, it starts to be unable to do without it. In other words, the symptoms we see in typical substance addiction are seen, such as developing tolerance, using more and more, disrupting daily life activities, using for longer than planned, having a crisis when there are no withdrawal symptoms, and getting angry. We also see the symptoms of substance addiction here.”
Children between the ages of 0-3 should be completely protected from screens
Emphasizing that individuals should not be exposed to smartphones more than 20 hours a week, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that “Child mental health studies around the world stated that ‘Do not give phones to children between the ages of 0-3.’ After that, they recommend using them under parental supervision until adolescence. Children should not be given smartphones, televisions, or tablets for more than 20 hours a week except homework. When we do this, children show serious addictive behavior before adolescence, and that is one of the most important reasons for the increase in neurodevelopmental disorders…”
Speaking about the clip syndrome encountered in children, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the first thing thought of in delayed speech is autism. Tarhan stated that “In clip syndrome, children have delayed speech. They come to the age of 3-4 and still do not speak. We see delayed speech. The first thing we think of in delayed speech is autism. We suspect autism, we investigate and the result is screen exposure. They are given a tablet all day long. The child watches, plays and opens clips very well. Since they do not have to formulate words, the brain does not develop words, and it atrophies. If the child does not learn to speak by the age of 4, it has a very hard time learning after that. When we immediately stop screen exposure, the child starts to recover easily. In other words, if it is detected by the age of 3, it is very easy to solve; however, if it is delayed, it becomes very challenging. Many pathways in the brain are closed by then. Therefore, the development of children is affected by the nervous system. This is one of the most important reasons for the increase in neurodevelopmental disorders.”
“The vast majority of those exposed to peer bullying are children with communication disorders”
Tarhan, who said that previously, when autism was mentioned, only those with advanced autism were called autistic, drew attention to the fact that autism has expanded too much under the name of atypical autism. Tarhan; “According to the studies conducted in the 2000s, the number of diagnosed autism spectrum disorders has increased threefold compared to the previous 10 years. According to the research conducted in 2023, one in 36 people is autistic. One in 36 means approximately 5-10 percent. Since it is a broad autism spectrum disorder, this goes up to 10-15 percent. Normally, the person is very intelligent, but despite being intelligent, their social aspects are very weak. These people have high mathematical skills. They even have a genius island in their brain. The most advanced of these is called Asperger Syndrome. Nonverbal communication disorder. In other words, nonverbal social communication disorder. Social and emotional communication disorder occurs. This time, they are alienated by their friends and peers. The vast majority of those exposed to peer bullying are children with communication disorders. They cannot learn socialization, they are left alone, they become restless, they become anxious. One of the reasons for the increase is the clarification of information regarding the diagnosis of autism. Previously, when autism was mentioned, only advanced autism was referred to as autism; however, autism has expanded greatly under the name of atypical autism.”
“Let’s teach them to be the subject of the digital world, not the object”
Emphasizing that the digital world can become an advantage, Prof. Tarhan expressed that children should be taught to use the digital world correctly instead of banning it. Tarhan stated that “If the parents are conscious digital literates, they use the screen appropriately and at the right time; however, if there is no conversation at home and everyone has a mobile phone in their hands, those children easily become addicted to the screen without hesitation. For this reason, we attach importance to sitting at home, chatting, sharing, and spending time together. Children who grow up in a married life are healthy in this regard. In fact, parents get worried when the child plays dangerous games, gun games, and war games. If there is a warm and safe environment at home, if you spend time together, you show the child right from wrong. The child learns life, learns life through digital means. It becomes an advantage. Instead of prohibiting children, let's teach them to be the actor of the digital world, not the object of the digital world, but the subject. When you become its object, the digital world, digital rules govern you. However, if you create your own rules, you become the subject of your life. You enter when you want, you do not enter when you want. Let them finish their lessons, homework, give them free time, then you enter. In other words, those who manage their time, even if their digital skills are high, manage to use it positively, not negatively.”
Children are exposed to screens as a stress reduction technique
Tarhan talked about the reasons for screen exposure, and Tarhan stated that “Children are exposed to screens as a stress reduction technique. There are usually three reasons for screen exposure. The first is a stress reduction technique, unhappiness, there is no peace at home, they take refuge there. The other is excitement seeking, especially children seeking excitement. They do the most unsafe things in the safe environment of the home. They change their name, their identity, and they can freely tell all kinds of lies. In other words, they create a fake world. They create a fake satisfaction there. The other is related to the feeling of curiosity. The feeling of curiosity is the most important feeling, especially in young people and children. It is the feeling that advances and develops a person. In other words, they are the feelings that emerge from innovative ideas and support entrepreneurship. Feelings of curiosity and wonder are the feelings that develop a person. Without these feelings, a person is like a weed. Therefore, curiosity and wonder are beautiful, but we need to teach them to use them in a good way.”
The rule of ‘Love, Value, Share’ can be applied
Tarhan gave important advice in the fight against screen addiction and drew attention to the fact that the house should be a warm environment. Tarhan stated that “The most important thing that should be in the fight against screen addiction is for the house to have a warm atmosphere. In other words, there should be a warm environment where there is physical conversation that will minimize screen exposure, there should be quality togetherness, and there should be time spent together. Secondly, words of appreciation, praise and approval should be used a lot in the house. In other words, it should be a house where there is positive communication instead of a house where people constantly nag each other in order for the house to be a peaceful and warm environment, and there should be constant negative communication. If there is no regular environment at home, if the mother says different things and the father says different things, if today is different and tomorrow is different, there will be no peace or justice there. Where there is no justice, there will be no peace. They should make the home a regular environment. They should establish warm and healthy communication and apply the rule of ‘Love, Value, Share’ to each other. If they apply this, the negativity on the screen will not cause any harm.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)